SLUR. I wouldn't have considered all these a major affront had I not approached a uniformed Oceanjet attendant two days earlier when we docked at the Cebu wharf to ask what I should do to make sure I get a seat inside the cabin on the return trip to Tagbilaran. The cabin attendant simply said I should check in an hour before my ETD.

Fast forward to 2 days later. I arrived an hour-and-a-half before my estimated time of departure, then promptly and dutifully fell in line with the other passengers... Only to be told I would be assigned a seat on the viewing deck-again?!-because the cabin was already full. I explained to the check-in counter staff that I followed advice, arrived at the terminal very early, that the same situation had happened to me three times in the past on Oceanjet, and that I was sure on two of those occasions some people behind me in the line who had yet to purchase tickets were later on given priority to airconditioned cabin seats over me and my free promotional return ticket. Instead of a good, honest explanation, I was rudely told by the customer service employee on duty that I should have had my ticket validated the day before, but added that such validation did not guarantee cabin seats either. Meaning: You go to the Oceanjet Terminal a day before your return trip to have your ticket validated, and then come back very early on your departure date, and who knows you might be lucky to get cushioned seats! Do you see anything wrong with this picture?

GALL. Furthermore, another customer service employee at a table nearby who was so not part of the discussion butted in to say very audibly, and quite haughtily, that "Nobody forced you. You have a choice." Huh? The gall!

Since 'choice' was brought up, let it be known that my choice involves letting the public know that they should not take bull from anyone, especially from bigheaded employees working in people-oriented businesses and establishments who would not know the meaning of service even if the bold "Customer Service" sign hanging over them falls and hits their huge, empty heads. Customers also have the choice to stop patronizing firms whose front-line staff clearly needs re-training on the ways of serving clients with a certain level of courtesy and respect. Oh, and whatever happened to service with a smile?

My understanding is if I go to a destination by way of a comfortable ride on a comfortable seat, the least that any decent transport company-on land, air or sea-should do is guarantee the same level of comfort on my way back, especially if you have just lured me to purchase a roundtrip ticket. And never mind that I had to return the styro-packed breakfast I ordered inside the vessel during the Cebu-Tagbilaran voyage because the rice that went with the yummy-looking pork chop was stale.

Okay, so I have just exercised my 'choice' to inform you about my sad incident. Let me take it a step further by inviting those with similar horrendous travel tales to tell involving Oceanjet-or any shipping, bus, or air liner for that matter-to email me so we can collate these stories and send them to the proper authorities, so no such thing will ever hound again any traveler to and from our beautiful island.

MIX. On a more pleasant note, a very happy trip to Rony Laglagaron and Laureen Laglagaron, the Fil-Am lawyer who came to Bohol on a mission to find the ultimate Boholano spa. Belated happy birthday to Binyang Rama-Manigque and Mark Gene Bompat! Warmest Sunday greetings to the dynamic team of Malou and Richel Dumaluan of the always crowded Dumaluan Beach Resort, to the brilliant and hardworking Me Anne Ramasola, part-time model and full-time dad JR Bueno, party hunk Jojo Calubag, and Manila society boy Raymond Toledo.